"U is for umaga, the end of the night—when Mama kisses me good morning, and dark becomes light."

My First Book of Tagalog introduces preschool children to the Tagalog language—also known as Filipino—the national language of the Philippines, which has been influenced by both Spanish and English.

Important everyday words in Filipino culture are presented in a playful and approachable ABC structure that makes learning fun and easy. Studies have shown that kids this age are developing language skills at a rapid rate—learning new words is a snap for them!

The catchy rhymes in this book reinforce learning, and children will be delighted by the charming Filipino kids they meet on each and every page. An introduction to the sounds of Tagalog along with notes on the Filipino language and culture provide a positive learning experience for both youngsters and parents.

An introduction to the sounds of Tagalog words, along with kid-friendly notes on linguistics and culture throughout, makes learning to speak Tagalog a positive experience.

About the Author:Liana Romulo spends much of her free time traveling, scuba-diving, and hunting through new and unusual bookstores. A dedicated yoga practitioner, she lives mostly in the Philippines but has also lived in Thailand, Belgium, and the United States. Having grown up in different parts of the world, she knows how important it is to preserve her own heritage and share it with others throughout the world. Her first picture book, Filipino Children's Favorite Stories, was a national bestseller in the Philippines.

Artist Jaime Laurel is a freelance graphic designer based in Manila who has won awards as an art director for an international advertising agency. A longtime video game aficionado, he also creates and develops video games for kids all over the world.